Former Nigeria international, Chief Mutiu Adepoju has backed Kelechi Iheanacho for a return to the Super Eagles, citing the striker’s resurgence in form with Celtic despite an injury-disrupted campaign.
Iheanacho, who joined the Scottish side in the summer, has endured a challenging season due to recurring hamstring problems that have limited his game time.
The 29-year-old has nonetheless managed six goals and one assist in 18 appearances for the Hoops.
His recent performances have reignited discussions about his place in the national team, particularly after a decisive display in the Scottish Cup semi-final against St Mirren, where he scored twice in extra time.
Adepoju believes the forward’s quality and experience remain valuable assets, noting that his current form could warrant a recall if sustained.
“Kelechi has always been a very good player and a good scorer who has done very well over the years. Unfortunately, these past few years he has not been finding it easy and all that,” Adepoju told Footy Africa.
He added that the striker’s improvement at Celtic is a positive sign, expressing confidence in his ability to maintain his performance levels.
“I’m happy that he is coming back and he is doing very well in Celtic. I just believe he will be able to sustain that and continue,” he said.
Adepoju further stressed the importance of experience within the national team setup, suggesting that Iheanacho still possesses the attributes required to contribute at international level.
“Experience matters, and if he is doing very well and I believe if the handlers of the national team see and find him worthy, then he can still come back. I believe he has that ability to come back to the team,” he added.
Iheanacho, who has earned 58 caps for Nigeria, previously established himself during spells in England with Manchester City and Leicester City, earning a reputation as a clinical forward capable of delivering in key moments.
Although injuries have hampered his consistency in recent seasons, his recent return to form has highlighted his enduring quality, with three goals in his last three matches underlining his sharpness in front of goal.
He last featured for Nigeria in May during the 2025 Unity Cup, and with the team set to defend the title one year on before facing Portugal and Poland in June, Iheanacho’s fitness could prove crucial as head coach Eric Chelle considers refreshing his squad beyond his regular selections.
Credit: punchng.com
